Donald A. Norman knows good design.
The author of “The Design of Everyday Things” (Amazon link) (PRL Summary link) tells us that the objects we use are improved when they share common characteristics.
Reinventing the wheel, in other words, is not only unnecessary, but it can actively work against brain patterns and muscle memory people have developed.
Often this reinvention happens in the name of ‘cool’.
Home kitchens are no exception. These are two faucets I’ve come across recently. To turn on the water, you have to pull the handle away from the base — a bit odd, but easy enough.
But which way is the hot water?
Each faucet is different— one turns towards you for hot water, one away from you.
These both diverge from our common understanding of how faucets work in the United States.
Any time you add friction to a task, you lessen the likelihood that someone will complete that task (or you increase the time spent, or you reduce their energy reserves ever so slightly, or all of these).
These sinks are frustrating to use… they’re change for the sake of change… and I cringe every time I have to use one.